Immortalized human colon epithelial cell line

ABSTRACT

Human epithelial colon immortalized cell line, which does not express tumour markers, which expresses metabolic markers specific for the non-immortalized human epithelial cells and metabolic differentiation markers specific for the non-immortalized epithelial cells of the human colon, and which is capable of adhering in vitro to the strain of lactic acid bacterium CNCM-1225. Serum-free culture medium characterized in that it comprises trace elements, vitamins consisting of vitamin C and retinoic acid, and hormones consisting of triiodothyronine, dexamethasone, hydrocortisone, bovine pituary gland extract, insulin, EGF and transferrin. Process for the immortalization of epithelial cells of the human colon, in which a culture of primary epithelial cells derived from the human colon is prepared, the culture is infected with a recombinant virus, the immortalized cells are cultured in the serum-free culture medium according to the invention. Process for identifying the mutagenic, toxic or beneficial effect of an agent on the metabolism of the cells of the intestinal tract, in which (1) an agent suspected of being a mutagenic, toxic or beneficial agent for the metabolism of the cells of the intestinal tract is reacted, cultured or brought into contact with a culture comprising a cell line according to the invention, and (2) the effects of the said agent on the said cell line are determined or measured. Use of the cells according to the invention as an active pharmaceutical agent.

This is a division of application Ser. No. 08/839,271, filed Apr. 17,1997 now U.S. Pat. No. 6,194,203.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The subject of the present invention is a new human epithelial colonimmortalized cell line, a method for obtaining this line, as well as anyuse of this line, especially in processes for the identification ofmutagenic, toxic or beneficial agents for the metabolism of the cells ofthe intestinal tract.

BACKGROUND ART

For many years, efforts have been made to develop human cell linesadapted to the study of human diseases, such as infections,inflammations or cancers, for example. Among the cells often involved inthe onset of diseases, there are the epithelial cells, in particular theepithelial cells of the intestinal tract which are sensitive to thesurroundings of the human body, and especially to the conditions of itsdiet.

The epithelial cells differ from other cells of the human body in theexpression of compounds or structures which are mainly found in theepithelial cells, such as for example cytokeratins (Moll et al., Cell,31, 11-24, 1982), connections between the cells (Gumbiner et al., Cell,69, 385-387, 1992), alkaline phosphatase which is specific to theintestine (Dudeja et al., Gastroenterology, 105, 357-366, 1993),cytochromes P450 (Mercurio et al., Biochem. Biophy. ResearchCommunications, 21, No. 2, 350-355, 1995; McKinnon et al., Gut, 36,259-267, 1995), enzymes involved in cellular oxidation defense(Cu/Zn-superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase and catalase; Alberset al., Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology, 10, 507-513, 1991) and/orin the detoxification of electrophiles (glutathione-S-transferase andquinone reductase; Chenevix-Trench et al., Carcinogenesis, 16, No. 7,1655-1657, 1995), and vimentin (Richard et al., Arch. Dematol. Res., 28,512-515, 1990),

In addition, the epithelial cells of the human intestinal tract arecapable of adhering lactic acid bacteria in vitro (Bernet et al., Gut,35, 483-489, 1994; U.S. Pat No. 5,032,399)

Finally, the epithelial cells of the human colon also differ from otherhuman epithelial cells in the expression of compounds or structuresfound mainly in the epithelial cells of the human intestine, such as,for example, surface villosities (Friedrich et al., Bioassays, 12, No.9, 403-408, 1990), sucrose isomaltase (Gibson et al., Gut, 35, 791-797,1994; Paul et al., Am. Pysiol. Soc., C266-C278, 1993), certain class IImajor histocompatibility antigens (Mayer et al., Gastroenterology, 100,3-12, 1991), and dipeptidylpeptidase IV (DPPIV; Hauri et al., J. Cell.Biol., 101, 836-851, 1985).

The preparation of an epithelial cell line of the human colon may becarried out by the selection of human cancer cells. Stauffer et al. thusdescribe the selection of two lines NCM356 and NCM425 which comprise thep53 mutation and which express in particular the tumour antigen CEA (TheAmerican journal of surgery, 169, 190-196, 1995). These cells representsa tumorigenic transformation stage, and are of interest for studying thedevelopment of the tumorigenic transformation of the epithelial cells.

Other human colon epithelial cell lines isolated from a human colonadenoma are also known, such as, for example, the lines CaCO-2 (ATCCHTB37; Fogh et al., J. Natl. Cancer Inst., 58, 209-214, 1977) and HT29(ATCC HTB38; Fogh et al., Human tumour Cells In Vitro, 145-159, 1975)

It is also possible to immortalize normal cells, that is to say makethem capable of multiplying indefinitely. Indeed, normal cells do notsurvive more than a ten passages. For that, techniques for thetransfection of cells, with the aid of specially adapted vectors, suchas the SV40 vector comprising a sequence of the large T antigen (R. D.Berry et al., Br. J. Cancer, 57, 287-289, 1988), or a vector comprisingDNA sequences of the human papillomavirus (U.S. Pat. No. 5,376,542), aregenerally used.

Sanderson et al. have thus immortalized normal cells of the foetal smallintestine (Int. Arch. Allergy Immunol., 107, 396-397, 1995). However,these cells still remain physiologically distant from normal adultcells.

Up until now, no immortalization of normal epithelial cells of the adulthuman colon has been reported. Even if the immortalization techniquesare known, it is still quite difficult to find the optimum conditionsfor immortalizing a human cell so that it conserves its originalcharacteristics, and without exhibiting signs of a tumorigenictransformation.

One of the conditions to propagate immortalized cells is their growth ina particular culture medium. The culture media described in theliterature are each specific for a cell type and cannot be easilyapplied to other cell types. By way of example, there may be mentionedthe serum-free media described by Gibson et al. (Gut, 35, 791-797,1991), Pfeifer et al. (Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 2D, 5123-5127, 1993)and Kulkani et al. (Carcinogenesis, 16, No. 10, 2515-2521, 1995).

The aim of the invention is to provide new human colon epithelial celllines which are genetically and physiologically related to the normalepithelial cells of the human colon, to the extent that it is difficultto differentiate them. In particular, these lines do not express tumourmarkers. These lines express, in addition, numerous specific markersfound in normal epithelial cells of the human colon.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

To this end, the invention relates to any immortalized human colonepithelial cell lines, which does not express tumour markers, whichexpresses metabolic markers specific for the non-immortalized humanepithelial cells and metabolic differentiation markers specific for thenon-immortalized epithelial cells of the human colon, and which iscapable of adhering in vitro the CNCM-1225 strain of lactic acidbacterium.

The subject of the invention is also a serum-free culture media adaptedto the culture and immortalization of epithelial cells of the humancolon. This medium comprises the constituents usually found in theserum-free media used to culture animal cells, such as, for example,inorganic salts, glucose, sodium pyruvate, amino acids, bovine serumalbumin (BSA), amines such as phosphorylethanolamine and, ethanolamine,vitamins, and hormones. This medium comprises, in addition, a newcombination of some of its constituents, namely trace elements, vitaminsconsisting of vitamin C and retinoic acid, hormones consisting oftriiodothyronine, dexamethasone, hydrocortisone, extract of bovinepituarity gland, insulin, epidermal growth factor (EGF) and transferrin.

Another aspect of the invention relates to a new process for theimmortalization of epithelial cells of the human colon, in which aculture of primary epithelial cells derived from the human colon isprepared, the culture is infected with a recombinant virus, and theimmortalized cells are cultured in the serum-free culture mediumdescribed above.

Another aspect of the invention relates to a process for identifying themutagenic, toxic or beneficial effect of an agent on the metabolism ofthe cells of the intestinal tract, in which (1) an agent suspected ofbeing a mutagenic, toxic or beneficial agent for the metabolism of thecells of the intestinal tract is reacted, cultured or brought intocontact with a culture comprising a cell line described above, and (2)the effects of the said agent on the said cell line are determined ormeasured.

The invention also relates to a diagnostic kit comprising theimmortalized epithelial cells of the human colon described above, theculture medium described above, and the reagents for determining ametabolic response of the said cells to mutagenic, toxic or beneficialagents.

Finally, the subject of the invention is also any uses of the cell linesdescribed above, in processes for the identification of mutagenic, toxicor beneficial agents for the metabolism of the cells of the intestinaltract, as well as any uses of the said lines as an active pharmaceuticalagent.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1: vector pLXSHD+SV40+ used to immortalize the epithelial cells ofthe human colon.

FIG. 2: expression of the intestine alkaline phosphatase activity bydifferent cell lines derived from epithelial cells of the human colon.

FIG. 3: percentage of immortalized epithelial cells according to theinvention which express class II MHC (HLA) antigens in the presence ofgamma-interferon, as a function of time.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Within the framework of the present invention, the expressions “normalcells”, “primary cells” or “non-immortalized cells” designate epithelialcells of the human colon which can be collected from the colon of ahealthy adult not having crippling physiological or geneticdeficiencies, and which can be cultured for a limited time withoutlosing their original differentiation characteristics.

On the other hand, the expression “immortalized cells” designates cellswhich have undergone a genetic manipulation, by means of a DNAconstruct, which makes them capable of multiplying indefinitely, that isto say at more than 60 passages. The cancer cells selected by Staufferet al., or the lines CaCO-2 and HT29 are thus not considered as cellswhich have been immortalized according to the present invention.

Likewise, the word “passage” designates the process consisting in takingan aliquot of a confluent culture of a cell line, in inoculating intofresh medium, and in culturing the line until confluence or saturationis obtained. The cell lines are thus traditionally cultured bysuccessive passages in fresh media. It should be noted that the celllines may loose their original differentiation characteristics afterseveral successive passages. It is therefore extremely advantageous tobe able to have a line whose characteristics are conserved even afternumerous passages, preferably at least 60 passages.

Finally, the expression “original differentiation characteristics”designates both the markers found specifically on the human epithelialcells and the differentiation markers found specifically on the humancolon epithelial cells.

The immortalized human colon epithelial cell lines according to theinvention do not express tumour markers, that is to say do not havecarcinogenic mutations or do not express messenger RNAs (mRNAs), ordifferentiated cellular structure and/or proteins characteristic of thetransformation of the cells into tumour cells. The presence of thesemarkers may be detected by hybridization or RT-PCR of mRNA with specificradiolabeled probes, for example. The presence of a marker in a celldoes not mean that the said cell is capable of conferring a cancer,after a few months, on a mouse without immune defence, but ratherreflects a tumorigenic transformed state of the cells compared with theoriginal cells from which they are derived.

Preferably, the line according to the present invention does not havethe p53 mutation (Lavigeur et al., Mol. Cell. Biol., 2, 3982-3991, 1989;Donehower et al., Nature, 356, 215-221, 1992), the carcinoma embryonicantigen (CEA; Stauffer et al.), and/or mutation in the APC gene(adenomatous polyposis coli; Hargest et al., Gut,37, 826-829, 1995).

The epithelial cell lines according to the invention express, on theother hand, metabolic markers specific for normal human epithelialcells. These markers may be a messenger RNA (mRNA), a protein, and/or adifferentiated cellular structure, which is generally found only in themajority of the human epithelial cells, capable of being derived fromthe skin, the eye, the intestinal tract, or the liver, for example. Thehuman epithelial cells according to the invention may therefore expressat least two markers found in different types of epithelial cells.Preferably, the cells according to the invention express the saidmarkers chosen from the group formed by at least cytokeratins,connections between the cells (also called “tight junctions”), intestinealkaline phosphatase, cytochromes P450, glutathione-S-transferase (GST),quinone reductase (QR), Cu/Zn-superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathioneperoxidase (GP) and catalase (CA).

The lines according to the invention may therefore express enzymesinvolved in cellular oxidation (SOD, GP and CA) and/or thedetoxification of electrophiles (GST and QR). These lines are thereforeparticularly adapted to the study of the phenomena of inflammations orirritations of the mucous membranes of the human colon.

The cell lines according to the invention also express metabolicdifferentiation markers which are specific for the non-immortalizedepithelial cells of the human colon. These markers may be an mRNA, aprotein, or a differentiated cellular structure which is found only inthe epithelial cells of the colon. Preferably, the lines according tothe invention express, as metabolic differentiation marker, at least twomarkers chosen from the group formed by surface villosities, sucroseisomaltase, class II major histocompatibility complexes which arespecific to colon epithelial cells, and dipeptidylpeptidase IV.

Likewise, the lines according to the invention preferably express theHLA-DR and HLA-DP antigens of the class II major histocompatibilitycomplexes (MHC II), and do not express the HLA-DQ antigen, in thepresence of human gamma-interferon (expression of HLA-DQ has beenassociated with tumorigenicity).

The lines according to the invention should also be capable of adheringin vitro the Lactobacillus johnsonii strain CNCM-1225. For that, aculture of lactic acid bacterium simply has to be spread over aconfluent culture of a line according to the invention, the confluentculture washed and then the number of bacteria adhering to thevillosities of the said lines measured. Preferably, a line according tothe invention is capable of adhering in vitro the strain of lactic acidbacterium CNCM-1225 at the rate of at least 80 bacteria per 100 coloncells according to the invention, especially 80-200.

The lines according to the invention should also be capable of adheringin vitro to Clostridium difficile and/or to other adherent lacticbacteria, like bifidobacteria, in particulare the the bifidobacteriadescribed in Applied Env. Microb., 59, 4121-4128, 1993 and in EP577904(Nestlé), which have been deposited at the Pasteur Institut, Paris,France, where they received the deposit numbers CNCM I-1226, CNCM I-1227and CNCM I-1228, respectively.

The lines according to the invention should also be capable ofexpressing many cytokines, after being in contact with an inflammationagent, notably cytokines IL-1β, IL-1Ra, TNFα, IL-6 and IL-8, forinstance.

The invention also relates in particular to an immortalized lineaccording to the invention which has been deposited at the DeutscheSammlung Von Mikroorganismen und Zellkulturen, Mascheroder Weg 1b,D-38124 Braunschweig, Germany, on Apr. 6, 1996, where it received thedeposit number DSM ACC2258.

The human colon epithelial lines according to the inventionadvantageously conserve their original differentiation characteristicseven after numerous passages, especially at least 40-80 passages. Theremay be noted however, after the 40th passage, or even before, a changein the karyotype of the lines following the loss of fragments ofchromosomes. However, these lines generally conserve as for even thesame intact set of each pair of chromosomes, which allows them to alsoconserve the expression of their original differentiationcharacteristics.

Another aspect of the present invention relates to a serum-free culturemedium adapted to the culture and to the immortalization of epithelialcells of the human colon according to the invention. This culture mediumis particularly adapted to maintain indefinitely, during successivepassages, the original differentiation characteristics of the linesaccording to the invention. If other culture media are used, the linesaccording to the invention could thus loose their originaldifferentiation characteristics following a few successive passages, forexample 5-10 passages. This medium is also essential for successfullyimmortalizing lines according to the invention. The suppression of oneof its characteristic constituents thus generally leads to the failureof the immortalization of epithelial cells of the colon according to theinvention.

This medium may comprise all the constituents usually found inserum-free animal cell culture media, namely inorganic salts, glucose, abuffer (HEPES, for example: Biofluids), sodium pyruvate, amino acids,BSA, phosphorylethanolamine, ethanolamine, vitamins, and hormones, forexample. Commercial culture media, such as the DMEM medium (BiofluidsInc., USA) may thus serve as base for the preparation of this medium.

The novelty of the medium according to the invention lies in a newcombination of some of its constituents, whereas the other compoundsusually necessary may vary within the limits known to persons skilled inthe art. These essential constituents are trace elements, vitaminsconsisting of vitamin C and retinoic acid, and hormones consisting oftriiodothyronine, dexamethasone, hydrocortisone, bovine pituary glandextract, insulin, EGF and transferrin.

This culture medium may thus comprise 1-100 nM trace elements, 10-1000nM retinoic acid, 10-1000 nM triiodothyronine (T3), 0.1-50 nMdexamethasone, 1-100 nM hydrocortisone, 1-100 μg/ml of vitamin C, 1-100μg/ml of bovine pituary gland extract, 0.1-50 μg/ml of insulin, 0.1-50ng/ml of EGF and 0.1-100 μg/ml of transferrin.

Among the trace elements, there may be chosen the compounds chosen fromthe group formed by selenium, manganese, silicate, molybdenum, vanadium,nickel, tin, and their salts, for example.

Among the inorganic salts usually included in the medium, there may bechosen salts form the group formed by sodium chlorate, potassiumchlorate, potassium sulphate, calcium chlorate, dibasic sodiumphosphate, sodium bicarbonate, ferric nitrite, ammonium metevanadate,ammonium molybdate, cupric sulphate, magnesium chlorate, manganesechlorate, nickel sulphate, sodium acetate, sodium pyruvate, sodiumselenite, sodium silicate, tin chlorate, and zinc sulphate, for example.

In particular, care may be taken so that the medium contains less than80 μM of calcium in the form of inorganic salts, so as to inhibit thedevelopment of contaminating fibroblasts. However, calcium concentrationcan be raised to 1 mM, which was necessary for some experiments(polarisation, expression of tight junction proteins, etc.). Afterseveral passages, there is no further risk to propagate fibroblasts,which might be early contaminants due to the processing of primarycells.

Likewise, among the other vitamins usually included in the medium, theremay be chosen other vitamins chosen from the group formed by calciumD-pantothenate, choline chloride, folic acid, inositol, nicotinamide,pyridoxine, riboflavin, thiamine, biotin and cyanocobalamin, forexample.

Finally, a culture medium which makes it possible to successfully obtainlines according to the invention preferably has the composition B50defined in Table 1 below.

Another aspect of the invention relates to a process for theimmortalization of epithelial cells of the human colon, in which aculture of primary epithelial cells derived from the human colon isprepared, the culture is infected with a recombinant virus, theimmortalized cells are cultured in the serum-free culture mediumdescribed above.

Before that, the following steps are preferably used:

(1) a sample of epithelial tissues of a human colon is obtained;

(2) this sample is prepared for the purpose of its culture in vitro;

(3) the epithelial cells are inoculated into a serum-free culture mediumand on culture plates comprising a coating which facilitates theattachment of the cells and their growth;

(4) the medium is changed as many times as necessary in order tooptimize the confluent growth;

(5) the cells are infected with a recombinant virus;

(6) and the immortalized cells are cultured in the serum-free culturemedium described above.

In greater detail, stage 1) relates to the obtaining of samples of coloncells from normal individuals during surgical acts on the intestinaltract. In stage 2), the sample may be washed in the culture medium, cutinto pieces, and the epithelial part separated from other tissues byphysical and/or chemical means. For example, the pieces of tissue may beplaced in a solution comprising about 0.5% trypsin and 0.1% EDTA for atime sufficient to achieve separation of the cells, and then a trypsininhibitor added for a few minutes, and finally culture medium,preferably that described above, is added.

In stage 3), the epithelial cells may be inoculated on plates in aserum-free culture medium, preferably that described above. The cultureplates preferably have a coating consisting of a solution offibronectin, BSA and type 1 collagen (see Lechner et al., J. TissueCult. Meth., 2, 43-48,1985).

In stage 4), the culture medium containing the epithelial cells ischanged as many times as necessary so as to optimize a confluent growth.

Preferably, the medium is replaced every two days. After having reacheda confluence of the order of 90% of the available surface area, whichgenerally occurs 10 days after the inoculation, the cells are separatedby treatments in solutions of trypsin and EDTA.

The separated cells are transferred in stage 5) into an infectionmedium, for example that described above, on culture plates preferablyhaving the coating described above. The cells are then infected in aconventional manner with a recombinant virus. Numerous transfectiontechniques are available to persons skilled in the art. By way ofexample, there may be mentioned the techniques described in WO96/07750,by Claudia Chen et al. (Mol. and Cell. Biol., 7, 2745-2752, 1987) or byWilson et al. (Analytical Biochemistry, 226, 212-220, 1995).

Preferably, a recombinant SV40 virus comprising the T Antigen (T-Ag), aninactivated virus replication origin (MuLV retrovirus), and a selectablegene are used. By way of example, the construct presented in FIG. 1,whose sequence is available in the GeneBank data bank (accession No.M64753; Stockshlaeder et al., Human Gen. Therapy, 2, 33-39, 1991), maythus be used. Other appropriate vectors may also be easily constructedby persons skilled in the art from commercially available vectorscomprising, for example, the gene encoding T-Ag, a selectable geneand/or a human replication origin. By way of example, there may bementioned the plasmids ATCC37460 and ATCC37640 which contain the geneencoding T-Ag.

In stage 6), the epithelial cells are transferred into a fresh growthmedium, on culture plates preferably comprising the coating describedabove.

Knowing the new and original properties of the epithelial cell linesaccording to the invention, their application may be envisaged inimmunological, pharmacological and toxicological studies

The lines according to the invention are thus particularly adapted forscreening mutagenic, toxic or beneficial agents for the metabolism ofthe cells of the intestinal tract, for example in a process in which (1)an agent suspected of being a mutagenic, toxic or beneficial agent forthe metabolism of the cells of the intestinal tract is reacted, culturedor brought into contact with a culture comprising a cell line accordingto the invention, and (2) the effects of the said agent on the said cellline are determined or measured by monitoring the expression of knownmarkers of mutagenic, toxic, or beneficial responses. For example, atoxic response such as inflamation may be monitored by measuring thelevel of cytokines produced by the culture after exposure to the agent(see Example 1, section 8).

It may therefore also be envisaged to prepare a diagnostic kitcomprising the epithelial cells according to the invention, the culturemedium according to the invention, and reagents for determining ametabolic response of the said cells to mutagenic, toxic or beneficialagents.

The lines according to the invention are also adapted to the expressionof recombinant proteins. The methods of transfection of foreign DNA arenow well known to persons skilled in the art (see for example WO94/05472)

The lines according to the invention also have a potential usefulness ingene therapy ex vivo. These lines might indeed constitute a suitabletool for developing recombinant cells expressing genes of interest forthe purpose of a therapeutic application. One advantage additionallypresented by the lines according to the invention is that they are notexposed to an animal serum, which considerably reduces the risks ofpotential contaminations by viruses or other pathogenic agents.

The present invention is described in greater detail below with the aidof the additional description which follows, which refers to examples ofpreparations of cell lines according to the invention. These examplesare preceded by a description of the culture media used, as well as acomparative example. It goes without saying, however, that theseexamples are given by way of illustration of the subject of theinvention and do not in any way constitute a limitation thereto. Thecell line culture, the preparation of SV40 vectors, the transfection andthe analysis of the expressions of the markers are, unless otherwisestated, carried out according to the procedures described in the manualby Sambrook et al. (Molecular Cloning, A Laboratory Manual, Cold SpringHarbor Laboratory Press, U.S.A., 1989). The percentages are given byweight, unless otherwise indicated.

TABLE 1 Culture media: Constituents Constituents Medium A50 Medium B50(continuation) Medium A50 Medium B50 INORGANIC Trace SALTS elements — 10nM NaCl 6.400 g/l 6.400 g/l KCl 0.400 g/l 0.400 g/l HORMONES MgSO₄-7H₂O0.200 g/l 0.200 g/l Insulin 0.005 g/l 0.005 g/l CaCl₂ 0.200 g/l 0.200g/l EGF 1 ng/ml 1 ng/ml NaH₂PO₄-H₂O 0.13 g/l 0.13 g/l Transferrin 0.005g/l 0.005 g/l NaHCO₃ 3.7 g/l 3.7 g/l T3 (triiodothyronine) — 100 nMFe(NO₃)₂-9H₂O 0.0001 g/l 0.0001 g/l Dexamethasone — 1 nM OTHERHydrocortisone — 10 nM COMPOUNDS Bovine pituitary Glucose 4.50 g/l 4.50g/l extract — 0.038 g/l Hepes 20 mM 20 mM Phenol Red 0.010 g/l 0.010 g/lANTI- Sodium Pyruvate 0.110 g/l 0.110 g/l BACTERIAL 0.25 μg/ml 0.25μg/ml BSA 0.3% 0.3% Fungizone 2.5 U/ml 2.5 U/ml PE 0.5 μM 0.5 μMPenicillin 5 μg/ml 5 μg/ml AMINO ACIDS Streptomycin 10 μg/ml 10 μg/mlL-Arginine.-HCl 0.0840 g/l 0.0840 g/l Gentamycin L-Cystine 0.0480 g/l0.0480 g/l L-Glutamine — 2 mM Glycine 0.0300 g/l 0.0300 g/l L-Histidine-0.0420 g/l 0.0420 g/l Hcl-H₂O L-Isoleucine 0.1048 g/l 0.1048 g/lL-Leucine 0.1048 g/l 0.1048 g/l L-Lysine-HCl 0.1462 g/l 0.1462 g/lL-Methionine 0.0300 g/l 0.0300 g/l L-Phenylalanine 0.0660 g/l 0.0660 g/lL-Serine 0.0420 g/l 0.0420 g/l L-Threonine 0.0952 g/l 0.0952 g/lL-Tryptophan 0.0160 g/l 0.0160 g/l L-Tyrosine 0.0720 g/l 0.0720 g/lL-Valine 0.0936 g/l 0.0936 g/l VITAMINS Ca-D-Pantothenate 0.004 g/l0.004 g/l Choline Chloride 0.004 g/l 0.004 g/l Folic acid 0.004 g/l0.004 g/l Inositol 0.008 g/l 0.008 g/l Nicotinamide 0.004 g/l 0.004 g/lPyridoxine-HCl 0.004 g/l 0.004 g/l Riboflavin 0.0004 g/l 0.0004 g/lThiamine-HCl 0.004 g/l 0.004 g/l Vitamin C — 0.030 g/l Retinoic acid 10nM 100 nM (PE: mixture of Phosphorylethanolamine and ethanolamine)

Comparative Example

The vector pLXSHD+SV40+ described by Stockshlaeder et al. (GeneBank,accession No. M64753; Stockshlaeder et al., Human Gen. Therapy, 2,33-39), which is represented in FIG. 1, and which comprises the geneencoding the large T antigen, the psi gene, the selectable markerhistidinol dehydrogenase (HSD), and the LTR promoter, is used.

The SV40 viruses are prepared according to a modified version of theLynch and Miller procedure (J. Virol., 65, 3887-3890, 1991). For that,the ecotropic cell lines Psi2 (Mann et al., Cell, 33,153-159, 1983) andthe amphotropic cell lines PA317 (ATCC CRL9078) are cultured in the DMEMmedium (Dulbecco, USA) comprising 10% foetal calf serum, at 37° C. andunder an atmosphere comprising 5% CO₂. These lines are conventionallytransfected separately using 250 mM CaCl₂ and 10 μg of the vector thevector pLXSHD+SV40+, they are subjected to a treatment with trypsinafter 48 h of incubation, they are mixed in an equal quantity, and thewhole is incubated at 37° C., under an atmosphere comprising 5% CO₂.After growing up to 70% confluence, the viruses are harvested in theserum-free medium PC-1 (Ventrex, USA). After filtration (0.45 μm,Micropore), the quantity of virus is determined on NIH 3T3 cells (ATCCCRL 1658).

Primary cells of the colon were obtained following biopsy on a 69-yearold woman due to the appearance of a sigmoid diverticulum. The sample iswashed in the DMEM culture medium, it is cut into pieces, the epithelialpart is separated from the other tissues, the epithelial cells on platesare inoculated into the DMEM medium. The culture plates werepreincubated in a 500 ml solution comprising 5 mg of human fibronectin(Sigma), 5 ml of Vitrogen 100 (Collagen Corp. Palo Alto, Calif., USA) 50ml of a 0.1% BSA solution (biofluids) and the remainder of the DMEMmedium. The culture medium containing the epithelial cells is changed asmany times as necessary in order to optimize a confluent growth.

After having reached a confluence of the order of 90% after 1 week ofculture, the cells are conventionally separated by treatments insolutions of trypsin and EDTA. The cells separated are transferred ontoculture plates having the coating described above, and in the A50 mediumdescribed above.

The cultures are then infected in the presence of 8 μg/ml of polybreneand a high recombinant SV40 virus titre (10⁵-10⁷ CFU) comprising the TAntigen (T-Ag) prepared as described above. After 2 h of incubation, thecultures are washed in PBS and the A50 fresh growth medium is added.

The cells unfortunately subsequently exhibit a growth which is so slowthat it proves impossible to select a clone having a growth comparableto that of epithelial cells of the human colon.

EXAMPLE 1

The epithelial cells of the human colon are infected as described in thecomparative example above, the only difference being that the A50 mediumis replaced with the B50 medium described in Table 1 above.

After 2 h of incubation with the virus, the cultures are washed in PBS,the B50 fresh growth medium is added and the cells are cultured bysuccessive passages in fresh B50 medium, being careful at each passageto separate the cells by a treatment in a solution comprising 0.02%trypsin, 1% polyvinyl-pyrolidine and 0.02% ethylene glycol in the HEPESbuffer (Biofluids).

By observing the size of the cell colonies which develop on the cultureplates, those which develop rapidly are selected. It was thus possibleto select 6 human epithelial colon immortalized cell lines, of which onewas deposited at the Deutsche Sammlung Von Mikroorganismen undZellkulturen (DSM), Mascheroder Weg 1b, D-38124 Braunschweig, Germany,on Apr. 16, 1996, where it received the deposit number DSM ACC2258.

1. Analysis of the Karyotype of the Strain DSM ACC2258

4 karyotypes of the DSM ACC2258 strain taken at the 40th passage areprepared (method described in the manual “Human cytogenetics, Edts:Rooney D E, Czepulkowski B H, IRL Press, Oxford, 1986”, incorporated byreference). The results show that 6 different chromosomes were lost ordamaged. The line therefore conserves intact in its genome a chromosomeof each pair of chromosomes. The sex of the line is XO/XX. It should benoted that the loss of one set of a chromosome is not a sign of atumorigenic transformation of the said line.

2. Tumourigenicity of the Strain DSM ACC2258

10⁷ cells of the DSM ACC2258 line, taken at the 46th passages, areinjected into mice without immune defence (“nude”) according to theprocedure described by Stauffer et al. (above). No tumour formation isvisible after more than 8 months. The non-tumourigenicity of the linesis not a sign of a non-tumorigenic transformation of the said line.Indeed, by way of example, the NMC456 line described by Stauffer et al.does not induce tumours in nude mice, although it expresses tumourmarkers characteristic of its tumorigenic transformation.

3. Expression of Tumour Markers in the DSM ACC2258 Line

It is determined according to the procedure described by Stauffer et al.whether the DSM ACC2258 line expresses the following tumour markers: thep-53 mutation, the carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and mutation in theadenoma colyposis coli (APC) gene.

The results are negative for all these markers, which indicates a stateof non-tumorigenic transformation of the line.

4. Viral Contamination of the DSM ACC2258 Line

It is determined whether the DSM ACC2258 line is contaminated by thehepatitis C virus (HCV), the hepatitis B virus (HBV) and the AIDS virus(HIV-1).

For the analysis of HBV, DNA is extracted from about 2×10⁶ cells bytreating with phenol and chloroform solutions followed by aprecipitation in ethanol. DNA samples are then subjected to a PCRamplification using primers specific for the pre-core region of thevirus (Lynch et al., J. Virol., 65, 3887-3890). The amplificationproducts are then separated on an agarose gel, and they are visualizedunder UV in the presence of ethidium bromide. For comparison, a dilutionof a serum containing 10-10⁵ HBV (Anawa Biomedical Services 6 Product,USA) is analysed in the same manner, in parallel.

For the analysis of HIV-1, DNA samples described above are subjected toa PCR amplification using primers specific for the GAG region of thevirus. The amplification products are then separated on an agarose gel,and they are visualized under UV in the presence of ethidium bromide.For comparison, a dilution of a serum containing 10-10⁵ HIV-1 (AnawaBiomedical Services 6 Product, USA) is analysed in the same manner, inparallel.

For the analysis of HCV, the RNA is extracted from about 2×10⁶ cells bythe method of Chomczynski et al. (Anal. Biochem., 162, 156-159, 1987). Areverse transcription is carried out conventionally, and thecomplementary DNA obtained is subjected to a PCR amplification usingprimers specific for the non-coding 5′ region of the virus. Theamplification products are then separated on an agarose gel, and theyare visualized under UV in the presence of ethidium bromide. Forcomparison, a dilution of a serum containing 10-10⁵ HCV (AnawaBiomedical Services 6 Product, USA) is analysed in the same manner, inparallel.

The results are negative for the presence of the 3 viruses.

5. Expression of Markers Specific for the Human Epithelial Cells

5.a. Cytokeratins

The cells of a culture of the DSM ACC2258 line are attached onto glassplates by a 100% cold methanol solution, and then the plates are washedin a buffer comprising 0.05M Tris pH 8.6, 1.8% NaCl and 0.2%polyethylene glycol 2000 (TNP buffer). The cells are then incubated for30 min in the presence of mouse antibodies specific for certaincytokeratins (anti-CH peptide 4, 7, 8, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, Sigma,USA). After 3 washes in the TNP buffer comprising 0.5% BSA, the platesare incubated for 30 min with a goat anti-mouse IgG antibody comprisingan immunofluorescent compound (1:300, FITC goat anti-muse IgG; Biosys).After 3 washes in the preceding buffer, the plates are fixed and theyare analysed by fluorescence microscopy. All the cells are positive forthe cytokeratins 7, 8 and 17.

5.b. Vimentin

In the same manner as for the analysis of the cytokeratins, the fixedcells described above are subjected to a mouse anti-vimentin antibody(DAKO, USA), and then to the goat anti-mouse IgG antibody mentionedabove. By fluorescence microscopy, all the cells are positive forvimentin.

5.c. Connections Between the Cells (Tight Junctions)

The cells of the DSM ACC2258 line are cultured on a glass plate untilthey become confluent, they are fixed by treatment with a 2.5%glutaraldehyde solution in a 0.1 M phosphate buffer pH 7.4 for 1 h, atroom temperature. After two washes in the same phosphate buffer, thecells are again fixed in a 2% OSO₄ solution in the same buffer. Thecells are then dehydrated in successive solutions of ethanol at 30, 50,70, 90 and 100% (Polaron Equipment Ltd., Watford, UK), and then thecells are recovered by a fine gold layer (SEM coating unit E5100,Polaron), The cells are then examined by electron microscopy (Philips505 SEM). The analysis shows that the cells have intercellularconnections which are characteristic of the epithelial cells.

5.d. Alkaline Phosphatase

The alkaline phosphatase activity of the cells of the DSM ACC2258 lineis determined with the aid of the Sigma commercial kit which reproducesthe method described by Dahlquist et al. (Analytical Biochemistry, 22,99-107, 1968). The results presented in FIG. 2 show that the cells ofthe DSM ACC2258 line (Oc11, Oc12, Oc14) express a phosphatase activitycomparable to that of the human colon epithelial cancer cells CaCO-2,but greater than human colon epithelial cancer cells HT-29. The resultsC, Q, D, H, P relate to other human colon epithelial lines presented inExample 2.

5.e. Cytochrome P450

The expression of cytochromes by the cells of the DSM ACC2258 line isanalysed with the aid of the known RT-PCR technique using DNA primersspecific for the different cytochromes P450. These primers wereconventionally prepared from the DNA sequence of the differentcytochromes available on the GeneBank data base (CYP1A1: accession No.X02612; CYP2C: accession No. M61855 or M61858 or M61856 or MM61854;CYP2D6: accession No. M33388; CYP2E1: accession No. J02843; CYP3A5:accession No. J04813; CYP1A2: accession No. Z00036; CYP2A6: accessionNo. M33318; CYP2B6: accession No. M29874).

For that, the cells are cultured until they become confluent on 35 mmdishes (Costar), the RNA is extracted with the aid of the RNAeasy kit(Qiagen), a reverse transcription is performed (1st Strand cDNASynthesis Kit for RT-PCR, Boehringer Mannheim), the complementary DNAobtained is subjected to a PCR amplification using DNA primers specificfor the different cytochromes P450, the amplification products are thenseparated on an agarose gel, and they are visualized under UV in thepresence of ethidium bromide.

The results show that the cells express cytochromes CYP1A1, CYP2C,CYP2D6, CYP2E1 and CYP3A5. On the other hand, the cells are negative forthe cytochromes CYP1A2, CYP2A6 and CYP2B6. The expression of cytochromeCYP3A5 is also confirmed by western-blot analysis of a protein extractof the DSM ACC2258 cells with the aid of an anti-CYP3A5 polyclonalantibody (Oxygene, USA)

5.f. Enzymes Involved in the Cellular Oxidation and the Detoxificationof Electrophiles

The cells of the DSM ACC2258 line are cultured, the RNA is extracted bythe Chomczynski et al. method (Anal. Biochem., 162, 156-159, 1987), DNAprobes are prepared from the DNA sequences of the Cu/Zn-superoxidedismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GP), catalase (CA),glutathione-S-transferase (GST) and quinone reductase (QR), which areavailable on the GeneBank data base (GST: accession No. X08058; GP:accession No. M21304; CA: accession No. M81578; SOD: accession No.729336; QR: accession No. M81596_(—)600), and then a Northern-blot isperformed on the RNA with these robes to confirm the transcription ofthese enzymes.

The results show that all the cells express a transcription of the genesencoding the SOD, GP, CA, GST and QR activity. The DSM ACC2258 linetherefore expresses enzymes involved in the cellular oxidation and thedetoxification of electrophiles.

6. Expression of Markers Specific for the Epithelial Cells of the HumanColon

6.a. Surface Villosities

As described in point 5.c above, the analysis by electron microscopy ofthe cells clearly show the presence of short villosities at the poleopposite that which adheres to the support.

6.b. Sucrose Isomaltase

Sucrose-isomaltase is specific for the epithelial cells of the humancolon. The presence of sucrose-isomaltase can be demonstrated at thelevel of the messenger RNA by the RT-PCR technique described above inpoint 5.e, after exposing a confluent culture of DSM ACC2258 cells for48 h to 1 ng/ml of human recombinant TGF-β (Becton Dickinson). The DNAprimers are conventionally prepared from the DNA sequence of thesucrose-isomaltase gene available on the GeneBank data base (accessionNo. X63597 S41833 S41836).

6.c. Dipeptidylpeptidase IV

DPPIV is specific for the epithelial cells of the human colon. Itspresence can be demonstrated at the level of the messenger RNA by theRT-PCR technique described above in point 5.e. The DNA primers areconventionally prepared from the DNA sequence of the DPPIV geneaccessible on the GeneBank data base (accession No. U13710-35).

6.d. Class II Major Histocompatibility Complex

The epithelial cells of the colon can express the class II majorhistocompatibility complex (HLA antigens) in the presence ofγ-interferon (γ-IFN). For that, the DSM ACC2258 cells are cultured inthe B50 medium, in the presence of 100 U/ml of recombinant γ-IFN(Boehringer Mannheim) at 12, 24, 36 and 48 h of culture. The cells areseparated by a solution comprising 0.025 trypsin and EDTA (Gibco LifeTechnologie, USA), and they are incubated in the presence of antibodiesspecific for the HLA-DR, HLA-DP and HLA-DQ antigens (Becton-Dickinson,USA), and they are separated using a flow cytometer (FACS can,Becton-Dickinson).

The results presented in FIG. 3 show an expression of the HLA-DP antigenfrom 12 h of culture, with increasing concentrations at 24 and 48 h. Theexpression of HLA-DR is observed after 24 h of culture with maximumconcentrations at 36 and 48 h. On the other hand, the HLA-DQ antigen isnot induced, which confirms the observations made on the primaryepithelial cells of the colon (Mayer et al.).

7. Adhesion to Microorganisms

7.a. Adhesion to the Strain of Bacterium CNCM-1225

The human intestine is colonized by numerous non-pathogenic bacteria,among which there are the lactobacilli and the bifido bacteria, some ofwhich are capable of adhering to the villosities of the intestinalmucous membrane. The Lactobacillus johnsonii strain CNCM-1225, known tostrongly adhere to the epithelial cells of the intestinal tract(EP577904; Bernet et al.), is thus cultured for 12 h in an MRS medium(Man, Rogosa and Sharpe, Biokar) comprising 100 μC of ³H-adenine, in theabsence of oxygen.

The DSM ACC2258 cells are cultured for 2 weeks until they becomeconfluent, and then they are incubated for 1 h at 37° C. with the 12-hMRS medium described above, or a fresh MRS medium or a phosphate bufferpH 6.5 comprising 4×10⁸ cells per ml derived from the 12-h MRS culturedescribed above. The DSM ACC2258 cells are washed 3 times with PBS, theyare lysed with a 1 M NaOH solution, then the radioactive intensityreleased by the cells is measured with the aid of a scintillationcounter.

For comparison, the strain CaCO-2 is cultured in the same manner asdescribed above, it is incubated with the strain CNCM I-1225 and theradioactive intensity released by the cells is measured.

The results presented in Table 2 below show that the DSM ACC2258 cellsare capable of adhering the CNCM I-1225 bacteria, as well as the CaCO-2cells. It can also be noted that the culture of the 12-h LA-1 strainmanifestly contains factors which promote the adhesion of the bacteria.Indeed, the fresh MRS medium to which bacteria were added exhibits alower adhesion level. Furthermore, it can be observed that a pH of 6.5,which is similar to that found in the intestinal tract in vivo, alsopromotes the adhesion of the bacteria, when a comparison is made withthe adhesion level obtained with the fresh MRS medium having a pH of theorder of 5.

TABLE 2 Cell line Incubation conditions % ³H-adenine DSM ACC2258 12-hMRS 30.2 Fresh MRS 11.8 Buffer pH 6.5 13.03 CaCo-2 12-h MRS 34.8 FreshMRS 6.1 Buffer pH 6.5 8.3

The capacity of the DSM ACC2258 line has to retain the bacteria CNCMI-1225 is also measured according to the method described by Bernet etal. (Gut, 35, 483-489, 1994). In short, the number of bacteria whichadhere to 100 colon cells is determined visually. For that, a 12-h MRSculture medium, or a fresh MRS medium comprising 4×10⁸ cells per mlderived from this 12-h MRS culture, is used. Furthermore, the analysisis carried out on three preparations, and 20 micrographs taken at randomin each preparation are used.

For comparison, the capacity of the CaCO-2 line has to retain thebacteria CNCM I-1225 is also measured in the same manner.

The results presented in the Table below shows that the line is capableof retaining a significant number of bacteria. It can also be noted thatthe culture of the 12-h LA-1 strain manifestly contains factors whichpromote the adhesion of the bacteria. Indeed, the fresh MRS medium towhich bacteria were added does not make it possible to obtain such ahigh adhesion level.

TABLE 3 Incubation Cell line conditions No./100 cells Standart deviationDSM ACC2258 12-h MRS 118 7 Fresh MRS 13 4 CaCo-2 12-h MRS 124 13 FreshMRS 9 4

7.b Adhesion to Clostridium difficile and/or Adherent Bifidobacteria

The capacity of the DSM ACC2258 line has to retain the bacteriaClostridium difficile and adherent bifidobacteria described in AppliedEnv. Microb., 59, 4121-4128, 1993 and in EP577904 (Nestle) has been alsoanalysed. The results shows that the line is also capable of retaining asignificant number of each bacteria.

8. Cytokines Expression

The expression of cytokines by the cells of the DSM ACC2258 line, inpresence or absence of an infammation agent, is analysed with the aid ofthe known RT-PCR technique using DNA primers specific for differentcytokines. These primers were conventionally prepared from the DNAsequence of the different cytokines available on the GeneBank data base(accession number: TNFα: X02910; IL-1β: M15840; IL-6: M14584; IL-8:M28130; IL-ra: M97748). Induction of inflammation was carried out byincubation of the line with 1 mM histamine or 20 ng/ml TPA during 24 h.

For comparison, same analysis were carried out with a normal colontissue, HT-29 and CaCO-2 tumorigenic cell lines. The results arepresented in Table 4 below.

TABLE 4 DSM ACC2258 HT-29 CaCO-2 colon tissue non-induced/ non-induced/non-induced/ mRNA non-induced induced induced induced IL-1β + + ++ − ++− + IL-ra − − + + ++ − + TNFα − + ++ + ++ + ++ IL-6 + + ++ + ++ + ++IL-8 − + ++ + ++ + ++

EXAMPLE 2

The other immortalized human epithelial colon cell lines developed inExample 1 exhibit characteristics similar to those described above forthe DSM ACC2258 strain. By way of example, the alkaline phosphataseactivity of 5 other lines called C, Q, D, H, P are presented in FIG. 2.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for determining mutagenic, toxic orbeneficial effects of an agent on metabolism of intestinal tract cells,which comprises: reacting, culturing or contacting a culture comprisinga cell line of an immortalized adult human colon epithelial cell linewith the agent, which cell does not express a mutant-p53 gene,adenomatous polyposis coli gene or carcinoma embryonic antigen;expresses metabolic markers specific for non-immortalized humanepithelial cells; expresses metabolic differentiation markers specificfor non-immortalized adult human colon epithelial cells; adheres invitro to lactic acid bacterium CNCM-1225; and contains a viral gene;wherein the cell line is capable of undergoing at least 60 passages inculture due to expression of the viral gene in the cells of the cellline; and determining or measuring the mutagenic, toxic or beneficialeffects of the agent on said cell line.
 2. The method of claim 1 whereinthe immortalized adult human colon epithelial cells are produced by:culturing primary epithelial cells derived from the adult human colon;infecting cultured primary epithelial cells with a recombinant virus;and culturing infected epithelial cells in a serum-free culture mediumfor growing and immortalizing human colon epithelial cells, comprisinginorganic salts, amino acids, amines, trace elements, vitamin C,dexamethasone, and calcium present at a calcium concentration of lessthan 80 μM to obtain the immortalized human colon epithelial cells. 3.The method of claim 1 wherein said determining or measuring stepcomprises using at least one DNA primer.
 4. A method for determiningmutagenic, toxic or beneficial effects of an agent on metabolism ofintestinal tract cells, which comprises: reacting, culturing orcontacting a culture comprising a DSM ACC 2258 cell line with the agent;and determining or measuring the mutagenic, toxic or beneficial effectsof the agent on the culture.
 5. A method for determining mutagenic,toxic or beneficial effects of an agent on metabolism of intestinaltract cells, which comprises: culturing primary epithelial cells derivedfrom an adult human colon; infecting the cultured primary epithelialcells with a recombinant virus; culturing the infected epithelial cellsin a serum free culture medium comprising retinoic acid,triiodothronine, hydrocortisone, bovine pituitary gland extract,insulin, EGF, transferrin, inorganic salts, amino acids, amines, traceelements, vitamin C, dexamethasone, and calcium present at a calciumconcentration of less than 80 μM to obtain an immortalized adult humancolon epithelial cell line; reacting, culturing or contacting a culturecomprising the immortalized adult human colon epithelial cell line withsaid agent; and determining or measuring the mutagenic, toxic orbeneficial effects of the agent on the culture.
 6. The method of claim 3wherein said DNA primer is specific for a cytokine.